Paulina Quintao – Breast and cervical cancer sufferers are forced to travel overseas for treatment due to a lack of facilities in Timor-Leste.

The head of the Department of Non-infectious Diseases chief Dr Herculano Seixas dos Santos said the National Hospital of Guido Valadares (HNGV) could handle minor operations only but can no handle more advanced and serious stages of cancer treatment. Patients requiring chemotherapy needed to go overseas for treatment.

He said while exact causes of breast cancer were unknown, women could reduce their risk by eating healthy food, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes and exercising regularly. Child birth and breastfeeding are also thought to reduce the risk.

The risk of cervical cancer could be minimized by practicing safe sex and avoiding cigarettes, he said.

Dr Dos Santos said the Health Ministry did not have concrete figures on cancer rates in Timor-Leste but more than 100 cases had been registered at the National Hospital.

Comoro Health Center director Abel B. dos Santos said information on cancer and heart health would be distributed to the community during center activities and home visits.

He said several years ago, infectious diseases posed the greatest health risk to Timorese. However after preventative campaigns to lower the rate of such diseases, non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart problems were posing an increasing threat.

HALIKU co-ordinator Isabel de Lima said her organization worked in co-operation with the Health Ministry to share information with women about breast and cervical cancers, which were often diagnosed at late stages. HALIKU also provides support to patients transferred for treatment.

De Lima, a breast cancer survivor, called on women to have the courage to go to health centers for treatment.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/13068-timor-leste-lacks-cancer-treatment-facilities